Securement device and method for holding shin guards in place

ABSTRACT

A device for holding a shin guard includes a looped band, two straps attached to the band and converging to an intersection, and a first surface of a patch attached to the intersection with an adhesive attached to a second surface of the patch. The band is positioned below the knee and above the calf muscle. The adhesive attaches the patch to a shin guard positioned on the shin. A sock is donned to a height covering the shin guard and the band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shin guards and, more particularly, toa securement device and method for holding shin guards in place.

Shin guards often move or slide on a user's shin while in use.Presently, devices such as soccer socks or athletic tape are utilized toprevent sliding. Such devices often restrict blood flow, areuncomfortable, and even restrict muscle movement.

In addition, athletic tape and other bindings are not flexible enough.They often break while in use or enable the shin guard to slide or fallout of place. This may lead to injury. Sometimes shin guard sleeves areused. However, these sleeves are opened ended and allow the shin guardto slide out of the bottom.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device and method for holding ashin guard in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device for holding a shinguard comprises: a band configured in a loop, a first end of a firststrap attached to the band, a first end of a second strap attached tothe band spaced apart from the first strap, a second end of the firststrap and a second end of the second strap converging to an intersectionthereof, a first surface of a patch attached to the intersection of thefirst strap and the second strap, and an adhesive attached to a secondsurface of the patch; wherein the adhesive is operative to attach thepatch to a shin guard.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing a shinguard comprises: providing a shin guard securement device comprising: aband, a first end of a first strap and a first end of a second strapattached to the band, a second end of the first strap and a second endof the second strap joined at an intersection, a patch attached to thefirst strap and the second strap at the intersection, and an adhesiveattached to the patch on a surface opposite the first strap and thesecond strap; positioning the band below a user's knee and above auser's calf muscle, positioning a shin guard on a user's shin, affixinga shin guard to the adhesive; and donning a sock to a height coveringthe shin guard and the band.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a shin guard securement device according to anembodiment of the present invention shown in use holding a shin guard;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a section view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claimswith reference to the drawings.

A general overview of the various features of the invention will beprovided, with a detailed description following. Broadly, an embodimentof the present invention provides a shin guard securement device and amethod for preventing a shin guard from moving or sliding on a shinwhile in use. The shin guard may attach to a band or loop by a strap.The band may be configured in a loop. The band may be elastic and mayfit around a calf of the user.

The band advantageously does not limit or restrict blood flow. Thepresent invention may not limit muscle movement.

The band may be sewn into a loop and made available in varying sizes.Silicone may line an inside or an inner circumference of the band.

A first end of a first strap may attach to a left side of the band. Afirst end of a second strap may attach to a right side of the band. Thefirst strap and the second strap extend diagonally from the band suchthat a second end of the first strap and a second end of the secondstrap may be joined at an intersection. A patch or substantiallyrectangular, planar piece of material, may be attached to theintersection. The patch may be fabric. An adhesive may be attached tothe patch. The adhesive may be secured to a shin guard. The band andstraps secure the shin guard in place on a user's shin. The first strapand the second strap may be a single article in a shape of a V.

The band may provide compression to a user above a calf muscle,preventing the band from sliding down. A slip-resistant, non-adhesivelined on an inside of the band helps prevent sliding. Theslip-resistant, non-adhesive material may also line an interior surfaceof the straps. The slip-resistant, non-adhesive material on the band orstraps may be silicone any slip-resistant, non-adhesive material for thepurpose of providing friction between the user and the band or strap.

A sock over the device may help secure the shin guard on the user. Thestraps prevent horizontal movement of the shin guard. The patch acts asan attachment point for the shin guard.

To determine band size, a user may measure a circumference below theuser's knee and above the user's calf muscle. The band may fit thatcircumference.

The band may be placed on a user's leg above the calf muscle and belowthe knee. The shin guard may be positioned on the shin in apredetermined location. The adhesive may be placed on the shin guard,affixing the device to the shin guard. The adhesive may have a papercovering protecting the adhesive before use. That paper may be peeled orremoved before application to the shin guard, exposing the adhesive. Asock may be worn over the shin guard and the device.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 show an embodimentof the present invention with FIG. 1 showing the present invention inuse. A band 10 is positioned or wrapped around a user's leg 20, below aknee and above a calf muscle. Straps 12 extend from the band 10 and joinat an intersection 15. The intersection 15 is attached to a firstsurface of a patch 14. This intersection may be sewn to the firstsurface. A second surface of the patch 14 is attached to an adhesive 16.The adhesive 16 adheres the patch 14 to a shin guard 18. An inside ofthe band 10 has a slip-resistant, non-adhesive lining 13. This lining 13helps the band 10 stay in place on the user's leg 20. Theslip-resistant, non-adhesive lining 13 extends down the straps 12. Asock 22 covers the present invention and pulled over the user's leg 20.

FIG. 5 is a section view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 . In FIG. 5 , asock 22 covers the invention when in use. The straps 12 are attached toa first surface of the patch 14, a second surface of which is connectedto a shin guard 18 by an adhesive 16. The shin guard 18 protects theuser's leg 20.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shin guard securement device comprising: a band configured in a loop; a first end of a first strap attached to the band; a first end of a second strap attached to the band spaced apart from the first strap; a second end of the first strap and a second end of the second strap converging to an intersection thereof; a first surface of a patch attached to the intersection of the first strap and the second strap; and an adhesive attached to a second surface of the patch; wherein the adhesive is operative to attach the patch to a shin guard.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a slip-resistant, non-adhesive lining on an inner circumference of the band.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the slip-resistant, non-adhesive lining is silicone.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a slip-resistant, non-adhesive lining on an interior surface of the first strap and on an interior surface of the second strap.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the slip-resistant, non-adhesive lining is silicone.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first strap and the second strap extend diagonally from the band such that a second end of the first strap and a second end of the second strap are joined at an intersection.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the loop is a fabric loop.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first strap and the second strap are a single article in a shape of a V.
 9. A method of securing a shin guard to a user comprising: providing a shin guard securement device comprising: a band; a first end of a first strap and a first end of a second strap attached to the band; a second end of the first strap and a second end of the second strap joined at an intersection; a patch attached to the first strap and the second strap at the intersection; and an adhesive attached to the patch on a surface opposite the first strap and the second strap; positioning the band below a user's knee and above a user's calf muscle; positioning a shin guard on a user's shin; affixing a shin guard to the adhesive; and donning a sock to a height covering the shin guard and the band.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising peeling a release paper from the adhesive prior to affixing the shin guard to the adhesive. 